Abstract
This cross-sectional study assessed nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes about Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination in Italy. The survey was conducted among a sample of 556 nursing students. Almost all reported that they had heard about HPV infection, while only 36.5% knew the risk factors of HPV infection and that this could be prevented by the HPV vaccine. Those who had heard about HPV infection during their degree program were more likely to know risk factors of HPV infection and that this could be prevented by the HPV vaccine. The majority of students (65.3%) reported that they would be willing to receive the HPV vaccine. Moreover, 91.7% of participants reported that they were willing, as future health care operators, to recommend the HPV vaccine to others. Those who knew risk factors of HPV infection and that this could be prevented by the HPV vaccine, and those who knew that cervical cancer could be prevented by the HPV vaccine expressed this positive attitude about willingness to recommend the HPV vaccine. These results highlight the need to supplement nursing students’ specific education, to improve their knowledge and awareness of HPV vaccination.
Highlights
Human Papilloma virus (HPV) infection is one of the most frequent sexually transmitted infections.In particular, some genotypes can cause cervical cancer and, in addition, they can be responsible for other cancers, such as anal (90%), vaginal (70%), penile (50%), vulvar (40%) and oropharyngeal (26%) [1]
91.7% of participants reported that they were willing, as future health care operators, to recommend the HPV vaccine to others. Those who knew risk factors of HPV infection and that this could be prevented by the HPV vaccine, and those who knew that cervical cancer could be prevented by the HPV vaccine expressed this positive attitude about willingness to recommend the HPV vaccine
The multivariate logistic regression showed that those that knew the risk factors of HPV infection and that this could be prevented by the HPV vaccine (OR = 1.6; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.03–2.48), those that have heard about HPV infection during their degree program (OR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.05–2.83), those that knew cervical cancer could be prevented by HPV vaccine (OR = 2.11; 95% CI 1.16–3. 83) and those that knew that men and women should be vaccinated (OR = 1.57; 95% CI 1.02–2.43) were more likely to think that the HPV vaccine is very safe
Summary
Some genotypes can cause cervical cancer and, in addition, they can be responsible for other cancers, such as anal (90%), vaginal (70%), penile (50%), vulvar (40%) and oropharyngeal (26%) [1]. According to the most recent data from National Institute of Health, in Italy, 1515 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed and 697 deaths were attributed to this type of cancer [2]. Since 2008, the HPV vaccine has been included in Italy’s national vaccination program, where it is offered to girls aged between 11 and 12 years [3]. Plan 2017–2019 extended the vaccination program to include young men [4]. Using data collected by the end of 2017, it is estimated that 71.5% and 74.2% of girls aged 12–16 years and aged
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